I have an idea... but I need help.

Okay. I just got my (used) Portege 3500 a few days ago. It's in good condition, a few scuff marks here and there (normal use), 1 or 2 breaks in the casing (1 on the corner - looks like it's been dropped, and 1 other another small thing)... etc. I really don't like the look of it. So I'm thinking of modding it a bit (hence why I'm here)... but I don't want to take it apart (not ready for that just yet).

Reading through the theads here, I've come up with a basic idea of what I want... but a few things I still have questions about.

- For the lid, I'm going to use the Brushed Crome film ( link). But I'd like to make it more of the "permanant" type - it would stay that way, I won't be taking it off. I also like the idea of some coating to reinforce the lid's body. Also, I want to paint on a design (dunno what it'd be of just yet) on top of the chrome film. Is this possible? If yes, how do I do it?

- For the inside, I want to use the Blue Carbon Fibre film... but I'd also like to make it more permanant. Again, what could I apply to do this?

- For the keyboard area, I'm thinking I want to spraypaint it or do some stenciling... my question for this is, is it ok to just spraypaint the keyboard like that? (Keep in mind I don't want to take the laptop apart!)

The biggest thing I'm worried about is the spraypaint coming off over time. I don't spraypaint much (or at all, really), but I did have an experience with a paper bag that was totally covered in gold-coloured spraypaint... and it all rubbed off really easily. Would they stick ok to plastic? Is there types of spraypaints that would stay on? If not, what can I do to keep it on?

- For the underside, I'm not sure what to do yet. I mean... *is* there anything I can do? Is it an ok idea to put anything on the bottom?

I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions you guys can give me.
Thanks!

p.s. I sincerely apologize if any my questions have already been asked here. I've done searches, but I can't find *everything* I'm looking for. That would just take too much time.

 

the plastic bag would come off cause it can move about, maybe theres a primer or somethign that can be bought for plastic

 

i guess on some aeras of the laptop it can be done

i recommend u contact BrushedChrome direct, as they probabbly can give u some good recommendation as what can be done on top of their product
The only things i have tried so far are removable tattoo and stickers - no paint yet

i mod with carbon fiber vinyl on 3 machines and they r quite resilient. i m not sure if u apply too many coats on the surface, it would make it hard to close

no comment - but love to know how it turns out for ya
underneath the keys are plastic and rubber and conductors - just too many possibilities to look into a new one (for me anyway) if something goes wrong

u might do a search on the forum, so many brililiant ideas and good recommendations out there

no comment, never done it

true, but it would take too much time until u get all inputs that would satisfy ur needs also

cheers ...

 

I don't think it's a good idea to do anything ot the underside of your laptop. First, there tends to be lots of screwholes and compartment covers and fan holes down there, which would be a bit of a pain to work around and you don't want to cover any of this stuff up. Plus, how often do you look at the bottom of your laptop?

Personally, I'd recommend picking one or two themes and stick with it. You're describing something completely different for different parts of your laptop. Ultimately, that's gonna come out looking even tackier than a few scuffs and cracks. The brushed aluminum and blue carbon fibre would probably look good together. Spray painting the keyboard area would absolutely require taking your laptop apart (really any cosmetic mods you SHOULD take you computer apart for).

Just my $0.02.

 

Some of those ideas are good, but I personally don't see anyone doing them without taking the computer apart, and if you did do it without taking it apart then I wouldn't think it would look nearly as good as it would if you took it apart. Personally I wouldn't try painting anything with any type of paint that you spray without taking it apart, because overspray could easily get inside the computer.

 

Yeah, if you want to paint your laptop and you want the paint to last a while...your best bet would be to take it apart. Eh, in my opinion taking apart a laptop isn't that hard (depending on the laptop). Haha, the painting part is what scares me. Anyway, one word of advice when you do paint, make sure you put plenty of masking tape over vents and little holes and stuff that you do NOT want to get paint into (you might have already known that though).

 

Krylon Fusion works wonders on plastic. It bonds to the plastic at a molecular level, its great, and cheap.

 

Thanks! I hadn't thought of that. Though it's possible that I'll be putting on (cool-looking) stickers or something instead of stenciling if it looks REALLY good just like that. Though I suppose in any case, I'll be asking them about it

Yeah. That is, of course, if I could actually do it. Though now that I think about it more, I think that there would be a possibility of me wanting to maybe change the look of the inside every so often.

Yeah, this occured to me. But isn't it much the same as say, the guck buildup after years of use?

Excellent point.

Yeah... you're right. This actually occred to me a few hours after I posed that question here. The thought of covering the bottom mostly came up as like, the laptop case being completely "made" of brushed steel, y'know?

Well, I was actually thinking more along the lines of having some cool-looking design and colour that would actually compliment the blue carbon fibre "look" of the inside. I think of the keyboard and the whole "inside" being 1 theme.

True. In that case, is there any kind of painting mod that I could use that would be appropriate for my keyboard that doesn't require me taking the laptop apart at all? (I just thought I'd ask)

Oh, of course. It's like painting a wall. Use green painter's tape to cover the edges you don't to paint over or touch. I was actually thinking of repainting the sides (a few paint chips). Though I would imagine this would also require taking the laptop apart...

AH! That was the name I was trying to look for! I've been reading a number of the threads here and I read about that paint, but when I went back to look for the name, I totally forgot what it was. Thanks! Now, is that type of spraypaint for the kind of job that requires prepping? Or is it possible to do a good job by just spraying it right on?

 

Krylon fusion doesnt need primer if thats what you are asking. It bonds to the plastic, instead of just sticking there. Make sure to clean the surface area of course, but it should be good to go after that. Remember very thin and even coats are the best way to paint something, just thought I would throw that in there.

 

->streamlinedata
. so u want to paint ur keyboard
. i "ass"ume that the letters would be then covered after the paint job
. then u would have to either use stickers or "hand paint" the letters back

dude (if u r), u r brave, that is more work than i would be willing to take up

cheers ...

 

Ahh... very cool. So basically, I can just buy the paint, then spray it on? Schweet.

Hah. Well, I'm thinking I'd cover the "uncommon keys" (for a laptop anyway) like the [del] key and the placement of the [`] key in masking tape while paint the rest of the "common" keys that I don't need to look at... like the home keys [A] [D] [F] etc

Okay, I just did.... and they replied back.... and apparently they don't know very much.

Oh, and they don't have Blue Carbon Fibre... only black.

 

funny, last time i spoke to a gentleman named Bill, he was quite knowledgeable

now this is where they can be real wrong. as u have seen i got the red on my laptop.
and they do come in, hold on to ur seat: blue, gold, yellow, greeen, white, red and black
i ordered them from England (JAF Graphics) u might get them under ebay.co.uk

cheers ...

 

Yeah. That's who I talked to.

Ah... *looks at JAF Graphics*... ah they don't have anything in the dark colours, it looks like.
I don't really like the "lighter" colours, there... I prefer the "sleek" style...y'know? Thanks for letting me know about them anyway, though!

EDIT:
What's the height/depth of those "domed" badges? I'd like to stick a couple of those in my notebook.